HIGH SCHOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Morningside Will Put Title Hopes on the Line Against Valley View : Key to Monarchs’ Hopes Rest With Play of Their Offensive and Defensive Lines

Morningside High football Coach Ron Tatum was in landlocked Moreno Valley Saturday night, but that didn’t stop him from checking out the waves.

Play after play, Tatum watched in awe as the Valley View offensive line swept over West Torrance’s defense to open holes for tailbacks David Dotson and Kareem Booker in a 42-20 Southern Section playoff victory.

“They like to get three waves of blockers in front of their backs,” said Tatum, who scouted the game. “It’s like the old (Green Bay) Packer sweep or student body sweep by USC.

“After watching them, I said, ‘Wow.’ They’re impressive. Offensively they take the attitude that they can get the ball anywhere on the field and put it in the end zone. They’ve proven that in their last 11 games.”

Morningside (8-2) will try to contain Valley View’s potent running attack when it meets the fourth-seeded Eagles (10-1) at 7:30 Friday night in the Division VIII quarterfinals at Coleman Field in Inglewood.

The game features two of Southern California’s most dynamic players--Dotson, who has set state season (3,523 yards) and career (7,246) rushing records, and Morningside quarterback Stais Boseman, who has rushed for 1,038 yards and 14 touchdowns and passed for 1,014 yards and 14 TDs. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior also plays defensive back and is a threat as a kick returner.

Tatum said Boseman’s multiple talents are needed more than ever Friday.

“I sure hope Stais rises to the occasion, because this is an occasion,” he said. “This is the type of game where you have to score every time you touch the ball. You can’t make mistakes, because if you do, they’ll destroy you.”

Tatum respects the running ability of Dotson and his backup, Booker, but said he is especially concerned about the Valley View offensive line. Against West, the Eagle line paved the way for 190 yards rushing by Dotson, who left the game in the second quarter because of a strained hamstring muscle, and 229 yards by Booker, who had previously rushed for only 264 yards this season. Dotson is expected to start Friday.

“They have a very strong offensive line, and (Dotson) gets behind them very well. Him or Booker,” Tatum said. “They’re bigger than we are. We definitely have to be in shape because they have two platoons and our team goes both ways.

“We don’t plan on doing anything different. We just have to come in with an intense attitude.”

Morningside meets Valley View at a good time. The Monarchs are healthy, for the most part, and tailback Montres Gordes is back in the lineup after missing the second half of the season because of a deep leg bruise. Gordes saw full-time duty last week in a 28-7 playoff victory over Nordhoff. It was the first time he played since being injured Oct. 11 in a 34-22 victory over West Torrance, the only common opponent of Morningsliide and Valley View.

Fullback Jesse Swayze, who has rushed for 740 yards and seven touchdowns, completes the Monarchs’ explosive backfield.

Tatum said Morningside needs strong efforts from its defensive front and offensive line. Two of the key members of those units are senior Eric Walker (5-11, 210) and junior Kelvin Brim (6-0, 180), the Monarchs’ starting inside linebackers and offensive guards.

“No team has really stopped (Valley View),” Tatum said. “We have to at least slow them down.”

Here is a look at other Southern Section quarterfinal-round games involving South Bay teams:

DIVISION III

Hawthorne (9-2) vs. Los Alamitos (9-2) at Gahr High, 7:30 p.m. Friday--Los Alamitos, runner-up in the Empire League behind top-seeded and unbeaten Esperanza of Anaheim, has a run-and-shoot offense featuring two prolific juniors. Wide receiver/defensive back George Sagen leads Orange County with 55 catches for 732 yards and is tied for the county lead with seven interceptions. Quarterback Tim Carey has passed for 1,811 yards and 15 touchdowns, including two last week in a 31-0 victory over Burbank.

Second-seeded Hawthorne opened the playoffs with a 27-17 victory over St. Paul. Cougar tailback Morell Ollis, who has rushed for 1,572 yards and 10 TDs, came back from a groin injury to score on a 52-yard run last week. Hawthorne will need another strong game from its defense, which has not allowed more than 25 points in a game and has held eight opponents under 20 points. Standouts include linebacker Tevita Moala and defensive back Corey McCoy.

DIVISION VII

Serra (8-2) at La Mirada (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday--This is a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal game won by Serra, 34-6. La Mirada finished second behind top-seeded and unbeaten Artesia in the Suburban League. La Mirada is led by quarterback Mike Moschetti, who passed for 225 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 26-20 playoff victory over South Pasadena. The winning TD came on a 22-yard completion from Moschetti to wide receiver Bobby Evans with 1:05 to play.

Serra quarterback Eugene Davis had a big game in the Cavaliers’ 14-12 playoff-opening victory over Century, which defeated La Mirada earlier this season, 7-0. Davis completed 10 of 15 passes for 171 yards and a TD and rushed for 57 yards and another score. “Eugene Davis made the plays when we needed them,” Coach Jon Dimalante said. La Mirada Coach John Mele said he is concerned about the Cavaliers’ speed. “We’ve got to contain the big play,” he said. “If they get the big plays, we are done.”

DIVISION VIII

Redondo (7-4) at Atascadero (11-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday--Redondo will make a four-hour bus trip to meet top-seeded Atascadero, which is located about 15 miles north of San Luis Obispo. Both teams have incurred injuries to key players in recent games. Atascadero quarterback Ryan Hawkins suffered a concussion and gash on the chin that required stitches last week in a 21-18 playoff victory over Santa Paula. The junior, who has passed for 1,216 yards and 14 touchdowns, is expected to play Friday. Tight end/linebacker Steve Hixson (6-3, 215), Atascadero’s most highly recruited player, is playing with a bad shoulder and is not 100%. Greg Pryor, a 5-5, 160-pound tailback, leads the Greyhounds in rushing with 1,300 yards and nine TDs.

Redondo opened the playoffs without top running back John Hogrelius (shoulder injury), but the Sea Hawks used a balanced attack in a 36-0 victory over Bloomington. Scott Moore rushed for 100 yards in seven carries, including a 60-yard scoring run. Quarterback Ted Silva continued his consistent play, passing for 110 yards and a TD. The senior has passed for 1,500 yards and 13 TDs.

South Bay’s Football Top 10 Selected by Times Sportswriters

Rank, School, League Record 1 Banning (Pacific) 10-1 2 Hawthorne (Bay) 9-2 3 Serra (Camino Real) 8-2 4 Morningside (Ocean) 8-2 5 Carson (Pacific) 6-4-1 6 Redondo (Ocean) 7-4 7 San Pedro (Southern) 7-4 8 Peninsula (Bay) 7-4 9 El Segundo (San Fernando Vly) 8-3 10 South Torrance (Pioneer) 6-5